Chandrababu Naidu's Plea Against FIR & Remand : Andhra Pradesh High Court Reserves Verdict [Live Updates]

Rohatgi: Section 17A is to protect innocent servants, who have taken decisions for public benefit.

Rohatgi: In the present case, it was a calculated scam and it cannot be guised as official duty

Rohatgi: We are investigating. The tax agency and PMLA are investigating. This is not a case where somebody says build a dam but later on it got swept away in flood. In that case the intent was public benefit.

Rohatgi:To put it crudely, if a "loot" is made of government fund, it cannot be considered under public duty, just because it has been signed off by a civil servant.

Rohatgi: Partaking in a scam, by which 370 crores have been deliberated in a calculated manner...this can never be 'in discharge of public duty'

Rohatgi: Argument on Section 17A is completely misconceived. Prima facie, 17A has no bearing. State exchequer has been misused. 17A on the face of it does not apply.

Rohatgi:The case is completely nascent; investigation cannot be completed in 10 days, especially when petitioner has applied for bail.

Rohatgi: On factual grounds it is my respectful submission that the Court should not take up the matter today, because the investigation is just starting. The the other side has filed 900 page document, which is served on us now

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi begins submissions for the State: Please note, the petitioner (Naidu) was arrayed as an accused on 7th and arrested on 9th. Petition was filed on 12th and today is 19th. Only 10 days have passed, investigations has just commenced

#ChandrababuNaiduArrest hearing in quashing plea resumes